Curriculum Vitae

Vilhjálmur Árnason was born 1953 in Neskaupstadur, east Iceland. Lives in Reykjavík, Iceland.
Professor emeritus of philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, History and Archeology, School of Humanities, University of Iceland.

University education:

  • B.A. and Teacher‘s certificate in Philosophy and Comparative Literature, University of Iceland 1978.
  • M.A. in Philosophy from Purdue University, Indiana USA, 1980
  • Ph.D. from Purdue University in December 1982.
  • Alexander von Humboldt Research post doctoral fellow in Berlin 1993.

Professional history:

  • Professor II (20%). Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. Department of Civil Engineering, since December 1, 2022
  • Professor of philosophy, University of Iceland 1996−January 2023
  • Chair of the Centre for Ethics, University of Iceland 1997−January 2023
  • Visiting researcher Institute for Global Health og Social medicine, University of Bergen
  • Visiting researcher Università degli Studi di Siena, spring 2017
  • Member of the Nils Klim committee, appointed by the Holberg Board 2013−2018
  • Visiting researcher: Filosofisk Institutt, University of Bergen, fall 2013
  • Board member of International Association of Bioethics (IAB) from 2012
  • Associate editor of the Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics, chief editor Ruth Chadwick 2008–2011, Elsevier 2012
  • Guest Editor of Special section: Kant, Habermas and Bioethics, Cambridge Quarterly of Health Care Ethics 21:2, 2012
  • Chair of a Working group on ethics and working practices. Special Investigation Commission of the Icelandic Parliament 2009−2010
  • Visiting researcher: Afdelingen af Filosofi og Videnskabsteori, Roskilde University 2002–2003
  • Visiting researcher: Dept of philosophy, University of Aberdeen 1998
  • Associate professor of philosophy, University of Iceland 1991−1996
  • Assistant professor of philosophy, University of Iceland 1989−1990
  • Instructor in philosophy, University of Iceland 1983−1988
  • Visiting professor, Pacific Lutheran University 1988−1989
  • Member of the University Senate, University of Iceland 2004−2006
  • Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Iceland 2000−2002
  • Chair of the Department of Philosophy 1996−1997, 2006−2007 and 2015−2016
  • Board member of The European Society for Philosophy of Medicine and Health Care 2004−2010
  • Board member of The Nordic Bioethics Committee 2005−2010. Chair 2007
  • Chair of the Ethics committee of the National Directorate of Health, 1998−2000. Member since 1993
  • Member of the editorial team for Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy
  • Member of the editorial team for Genomics and Society. Online journal
  • Member of the editorial team for Etikk i Praksis. Nordic journal
  • Editor of Theoretical book series of the Icelandic literary society 1997−2003
  • Editor of Skírnir, Journal of the Icelandic literary society 1987−1994
  • Secretary of the Prime minister‘s committe on the Future of Icelandic society 1985−1987

Grants and awards:

  • Study grant, Thor Thors Foundation, 1978
  • Travel grant, Fulbright Foundation, 1978–1982
  • Research grant, David Ross Foundation, Purdue University, 1981–1982
  • Research grant, Icelandic Science Council: Morality in the Sagas, 1983–1984
  • Research grant, Icelandic Science Council: Ethics of Life and Death, 1989–1991
  • Post-doc grant, Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung. Stay in Berlin 1993. Life member
  • The award of Hagþenkir, the Assocation of Icelandic Non-fiction Writers, for academic work of outstanding quality: Ethics of Life and Death, 1993
  • Research project.  EC 5th framework. Leading scientist of ELSAGEN. 2002–2004
  • Research network, NorFA/NordForsk. Human genetic databases. 2002–2006
  • Research grants, Icelandic Christianity fund, 2002, 04, 05
  • Research grant, Icelandic Research Council: Health care databases, 2003, 2005
  • Visiting fellow, Clare Hall, Cambridge University. Elected life member, 2006
  • Research fellow, Fondation Brocher, Hermance, Switzerland, 2010
  • Research grant, Icelandic Research Council: Icelandic democracy, 2013–2015
  • University of Iceland annual award for excellence in research, 2018